Board of Education Hears Preliminary Budget

On Tuesday, August 23, the Minden Public Schools Board of Education gathered for a special meeting in preparation for the September budget meeting.
There was no public comment. The board approved the final claims against the General Fund for 2010/2011. There were no personnel matters to discuss and no action to be taken regarding buildings, grounds and transportation. Dr. Wheelock brought up the case of one family off the bus route who offered to pay gas for a bus to come pick up their child, but the board made no decision on that offer.
The board approved Policy 5205 regarding graduation. Minden requirements for graduation had to be aligned with the new Nebraska Department  of Education requirements. Beginning with the class of 2015, students must complete an additional 10 semester hours of science and an additional 10 credit hours of math. Elective credit will be cut to 75 required hours. Required credit will be extended to 145 hours.
The board considered contract offers from Coca Cola and Pepsi for 5-year soft drink contracts. After consideration of both offers, the board accepted Pepsi’s offer. Pepsi has been the soft drink provider for the last two contracts and the board had no complaints with their service.
Along with supplying soft drinks for the schools, Pepsi will also provide fountain drinks and cups for Homecoming Burger night, post prom party, and Purple/White Day. They offer Gatorade products to athletic programs at half price and will stock campus vending machines with healthy options. The contract runs through the 2015-2016 year.
Dr. Wheelock presented a preliminary budget in which she outlined the various funds the school uses to organize and appropriate its money, and each fund’s balance for last year. This presentation was in preparation for the budget meeting to be held in September.

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